Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 10 Feb 1998

Vol. 486 No. 6

Written Answers. - Community Policing.

Gay Mitchell

Ceist:

29 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will designate an area of south inner city Dublin, as recommended by the Rialto community policing forum, as a pilot scheme for a new model of community policing in partnership with the local community; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3011/98]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. O'Donoghue)

The area covered by the Rialto Community Policing Forum within the south inner city includes Rialto and Dolphin's Barn and incorporates Fatima Mansions, Dolphin House, Marrowbone Lane and Maryland. I am advised by the Garda authorities that this area has been targeted as priority under Operation Dóchas and as a consequence has benefited from a high level of Garda attention. Apart from the visible Dóchas uniform presence there has been intense activity by local plain clothes drug units. More recently the area was successfully targeted under Operation Cleanstreet.

The Garda advise me that considerable efforts are being made by local gardaí to enhance relationships with local communities. This entails meetings with groups such as the Rialto Community Policing Forum which consists of representatives from the community, the Canal Communities Local Drugs Task Force, and local political representatives. I am advised that the forum have regular meetings with the Garda Síochána where issues of concern are addressed in a structured way.

The forum raised their concerns with me, as the Deputy knows, on my recent visit to Rialto, about serious drug related problems. These problems extend across two local drugs task force areas, namely, the canal communities and the south inner city. I understand that the two task forces and the Rialto Community Policing Forum are examining the development of a new model of community policing for this wider geographical area and are proposing to set up a public seminar to ascertain the views of all interested parties. Further community policing decisions will be taken in the light of the forum's conclusions.

The Garda have my full support in tackling the areas' problems and, as I indicated in my meeting with the Rialto Community, my departmental officials will be available to assist as required. My officials have been in touch already with the local drugs task force representatives and the co-ordinator of the Rialto Community Policing Forum with a view to identifying how best to move matters forward.

I fully appreciate the concerns which have been expressed about difficulties in the areas mentioned. These concerns were, as I have said, expressed to me directly when I visited the area. The problems are very real and very pressing and I can assure the Deputy that I will take every action open to me to assist in addressing them. One of the very positive messages which came across, at my meeting in Rialto, was that there are many public-spirited people in the local community, who are anxious that the problem be addressed and who are willing to help in any way they can. Local community support and goodwill are essential if the problem of drugs is to be addressed in an effective way. The support and goodwill is there. I believe that it should be recognised and fostered and I will play my part in seeing that it is.